When a wedding has ten attendants for each the bride and groom and the colors are pink and GLITTER, you know it’s going to be a party. A very pretty party. :-)

Shantell and her glam squad. :-)

Shantell was the dancing-est bride I’ve ever seen! Wiggles and jumps all the way up the aisle to Fernie. :-D

When you ask Fernie and Shantell to do a formal portrait, this is what you get… followed by snuggles. :-)

Their reaction to Shantell’s maid of honor singing her speech. With backup dancers.

Fernie + Shantell – Thank you for bringing your amazing selves and friends + family to South Dakota for your wedding!!! I wish we could do this every single weekend! :-)

Weddings like Aubrey + Mary’s completely blow me away with the perfect combination of love, silliness, and sunshine peeking out just in time for photos. :-)

Mary and I met a few years ago, and we instantly hit it off (and judging by the speeches I heard on Saturday, this is a pretty common occurrence). She’s a great friend, and everyone lucky enough to be in her life is truly blessed. She also has a great circle of family and friends, but when she met Aubrey she hit the jackpot. He is her perfect gentleman with a hilarious sense of humor.

Seeing each other for the first time on their wedding day! :-)

Aubrey + Mary got engaged on the top of Harney Peak, and since Sylvan Lake was sort-of on the way to their reception at the Game Lodge from their wedding at the Chapel in the Hills, we prayed for no rain, few tourists, and headed up!

WORTH IT!!!

Wall Drug donuts!!!!! They were a hit. Especially with Grandpa. ;-)

Don’t worry, Aubrey, I’m sure that some day someone will believe you met on Farmers Only.

Gosh, how do I begin to thank you guys for having me photograph your wedding? It really was the perfect day, which I truly believe is a preview of what your marriage will be. I am honored you asked, and I can’t wait to watch your happily ever after play out!! :-)

Also, there were two studio lb brides at this wedding!!! Remember Megan? She had similar storm clouds threatening her big day. :-)

Weddings in the Black Hills are beautiful, but Sylvan Lake really does have it all – mountains, water, and that seasonal splash of fall color.

Erin and her girls. :-)

There’s something about the way brides and grooms look at each other during their wedding ceremony – it’s the most perfect combination of love and excitement and it makes my heart flutter every time!

Just married!!! :-)

Pete + Erin – Thank you so much for choosing me to photograph your big day! I hope you have enjoyed your first few days being married! :-)

Custer State Park will always be near and dear to my heart. It’s where my husband and I took our first vacation when we were dating, it’s where he proposed, and it’s our favorite place to hike. It’s also where many of my couples choose to begin the ‘rest of their lives’ together, and that in itself is so, so beautiful!

Favorite!!!

What I love about the bride + groom’s first dance is watching the emotions wash over them as they sway together and soak in the events of the day. The way they hold each other and share thoughts of how happy they are without even speaking. It makes my heart do a happy dance every single time. :-)

Brian + Ashley – YOU GUYS!!! We forgot to do a selfie!!!!! You’re probably so sad that you didn’t get a photo with me. ;-) Please accept this big, virtual hug and my sincerest apologies. I hope you love your sneak peek – I can’t wait to show you the rest of your images!! Thanks again for having me and best wishes to you on your ‘biggest and best year yet!’ :-)

Sometimes my job doesn’t feel like work – like when I get to photograph fun/romantic/silly couples like Fernie + Shantell! Their smiles came just as easily as the snuggles, and their giggles weren’t far behind the whispered secrets, the 98 Degrees serenade, and the overly-roasted marshmallows. :-)

Thanks, you two, for giving me a little preview of how *awesome* your wedding is going to be!! Now, enjoy a few of my favorites from this weekend!

Doesn’t Shantell look just like Kelly Ripa?! I felt a tiny bit star-struck photographing her. But then she brought me down to earth with her hairstylist banter – seriously, stylists have this natural ability to make friends with anyone, I swear. :-)

I *have* to share this goofy out-take from the s’mores section of their session, because this is the fun/goofy side I want them, their families, and their future kids and grandkids to remember. :-)